I'd love to know what I'll do next haha I really have no idea because I just assumed I'd use HoTo the entire time and the 40%fcr from it was just a given for my build. After finding the runes for Infinity in LK I'll do a massive amulet crafting session and, depending on what I get, I'll choose the gear. Reaching 75%fcr is so easy I almost want to stay there. So far I can use two fcr rings, although not very good, and hope to get a 10frc ammu and a 2/20 circlet maybe... I still don't have a circlet like that, and I really don't hold much hope for a 2/20 ammu but who knows. Surprises are always around the corner
What do you guys think about the circlet and amulet of life everlasting I posted before. Would they be useful eventually against nihla? I want to know your opinions. Ofc it's nice to get stuff with high skill and DR rolls, but are they really useful.
I´d say that for a caster, who does not need mercenary during Nihlathak runs and has all curses you could think of to distract these vipers, these items could be an overkill. And that is HC player speaking here . I´d personally prefer 125 FCR and skill points, but if you have the chance to keep one of them with 125 FCR, then why not. At the same time you would probably lose a bit in speed.
I´d still prefer Nature´s Peace over these items though, because I see corpse explosion + amplified damage a greater threat (running with mercenary).
Has anybody experimented with crafting safety boots for plain DR by the way?
I don't see why not. We'll all just know that a 99er in 1.14 is a bit different than in D2R when you might have some more power if you can farm those items/experience as an untwinked character.
Kind of like the difference in farming an Enigma before the rune drop rate improved and now. We all know it's easier now but still go out and do it without too much fuss.
Hi all, Over the last week, we have seen much speculation and reactions from the community around the subject of Ladder play releasing post-launch. We wanted to take this opportunity to share that Ladder Only Rune Words, Unique Items, and Horadric Cube Recipes that were once restricted to...
us.forums.blizzard.com
Here is the article for the torch and annihilus change.
I wonder if a single SoJ will proc D-clone, or do you have to sell multiple?
I will be definitely farming keys and maybe SoJs for the D2R release, trying to get that elusive 20/20 barb torch. Looking through my stashes I apparently don't have any keys saved up. I burnt myself out after farming Mephisto 1200 times last time, but after playing the open alpha I've got the itch again. Maybe I'll go farm a few key sets and see how it feels on the barb. Its a shame the ghosts in Arcane Sanctuary are fully immune to physical, it would have been fun to also kill them for runes while teleporting to the Summoner.
Hi all, Over the last week, we have seen much speculation and reactions from the community around the subject of Ladder play releasing post-launch. We wanted to take this opportunity to share that Ladder Only Rune Words, Unique Items, and Horadric Cube Recipes that were once restricted to...
us.forums.blizzard.com
Here is the article for the torch and annihilus change.
I wonder if a single SoJ will proc D-clone, or do you have to sell multiple? What would be the best way to farm SoJs? NM andariel like always?
I will be definitely farming keys and maybe SoJs for the D2R release, trying to get that elusive 20/20 barb torch. Looking through my stashes I apparently don't have any keys saved up. I burnt myself out after farming Mephisto 1200 times last time, but after playing the open alpha I've got the itch again. Maybe I'll go farm a few key sets and see how it feels on the barb. Its a shame the ghosts in Arcane Sanctuary are fully immune to physical, it would have been fun to also kill them for runes while teleporting to the Summoner
Yes, that is huge. Annihilus with x/x/10 and extra power from Torch would mean that you could complete level 99 Sorceress within 200 playing hours. It might have been possible even with ladder runewords before these upcoming changes, but now it is only a matter of time before somebody completes a sorceress like that.
I believe that there will be a lot of people, who prefer playing D2R with Annihilus and Torch etc and I would suggest adding two extra Yes/No columns to the chart for those players starting with D2R. Something like "Ladder runewords" and "Uber" or just "D2R", because I understand that most people play with ladder runewords anyway? Probably somebody could make up better names, but you get the gist
Hello!
Just got to level 91 so i thought it's time to rejoin once more. My goals are still to play only players 8 and get all uniques/sets on hardcore of course.
After last rip i started a paladin and played until hell act 3 (might add him later), but got bored and decided to give necro one more shot. This playthrough was much smoother than my last necro, because i found couple nice items.
I found this in act 1 really early and later cubed for 2 sockets. This was used until i got spirit shield.
Rhyme
Preserved Head
ShaelEth
Defense: 5
Chance to Block: 23
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0x6a013fc2
Item Level: 7
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Adds 2 - 7 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
+2 to Raise Skeleton (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Skeleton Mastery (Necromancer Only)
+1 to Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +25
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune
No idea where this dropped, but it replaced 3 topaz'd helm.
Necromancer's Tiara of Performance
Tiara
Defense: 42
Durability: 23 of 25
Required Level: 73
Fingerprint: 0xcc275019
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+13 to Minimum Damage
I started as a summoner and still haven't used any respecs. Currently im looking for spiderweb sash and war travs. After i get those i'll use first respec to get rid of extra strenght and go farm nm cows for the set parts and two more cta bases.
I found my first insight base (4 os, non eth bill) in early nm. It was nice upgrade after a savage polearm and served me well through nightmare. Didn't spend any time farming in nm. In hell i first did some mausoleum runs trying to get weapon upgrade for merc, but switched to pits at some point since it didn't feel too much of a struggle. All the +skills from spirit sword, necro head and tiara were really helpful. I hadn't even killed andariel when something amazing happened.
After getting non eth elite base for insight i played until act 4 and started running lower kurast. While rerolling maps i stumbled across monarch and cryptic axe racks from which i got 5 os eth one for obidience and spirit bases. Also found my second high rune while looking for a map.
Which was used for this
Good enough roll
I had two maps that i spent running. First one i rerolled for some reason, but was worth it since second one was really nice. I thought i'd be done really fast and didn't bother to use counter, but i was wrong. No idea how many runs i did in total.
After getting enigma i decided to farm another ber for beast since runs were so much faster with teleport and didn't have a base for infinity. Everything from gul+ was cubed up. After cubing 3rd sur i was left with 2 ohms. Also found really nice upgrades for myself from poppables.
After i was done with lk i played through all the quests until ancients and rerolled durance map. Im currently farming meph, andy and pits.
Amplify Damage: 1/11
Dim Vision: 1/11
Weaken: 1/11
Iron Maiden: 0/0
Terror: 1/11
Confuse: 1/11
Life Tap: 0/0
Attract: 1/11
Decrepify: 1/11
Lower Resist: 0/0
Teeth: 1/9
Bone Armor: 1/9
Poison Dagger: 0/0
Corpse Explosion: 20/28
Bone Wall: 20/28
Poison Explosion: 0/0
Bone Spear: 1/9
Bone Prison: 4/12
Poison Nova: 0/0
Bone Spirit: 0/0
Coral Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf834868
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%
Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xd11c51e2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +5
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x38729163
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +27
Enigma
Breast Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 830
Durability: 42 of 50
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0xf4ab85c7
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+762 Defense
+68 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced by 8%
+14 Life after each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
91% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 109
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xe50c1faf
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+136 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+136 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
75% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ruby Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xee74acd1
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +10%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Burly Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6d68159e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 Defense
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x3f2f9f02
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x642b03b0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x520de5c
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x16a03dcc
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xefbf149a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+27 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life
Cobalt Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6c0dd86b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Cold Resist +8%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xe7b98f69
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf36c9241
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
Fire Resist +8%
Beast Coil
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x9085e6b6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+4 to Minimum Damage
+114 to Attack Rating
+13 Maximum Stamina
Fire Resist +30%
12% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Bone Eye
Ring
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xc9f8b96b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
7% Life stolen per hit
+3 to Strength
Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x68c27e5b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Ocher Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbcb551cc
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Lightning Resist +6%
Gale Blazer
Light Plated Boots
Defense: 11
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x2532c54b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
Replenish Life +5
+7 Maximum Stamina
Fire Resist +33%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ocher Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x4bbeb674
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +6%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Goldwrap
Battle Belt
Defense: 87
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x22d9f200
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+53% Enhanced Defense
+25 Defense
66% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
Required Level +5
Graverobber's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x43f437e4
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+20 to Life
Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x122c7509
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
All Resistances +5
Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x3642b9cd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
All Resistances +5
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x86831d0b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x8ffb4b4a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
All Resistances +5
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xbdb13ae6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x9148ab93
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Life
Lightning Resist +8%
Beryl Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc1223a4a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Poison Resist +3%
Beryl Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x74080eb0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Poison Resist +5%
Garnet Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x10a14b3e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Fire Resist +9%
Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x44d8c0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%
Ocher Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0x93afc6fd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
Lightning Resist +7%
Sapphire Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x40708198
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+11 to Life
Cold Resist +11%
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x11a05b97
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
99% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 12%
37% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Call to Arms
Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 130
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 31
Required Dexterity: 25
Fingerprint: 0x797963cd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
262% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+4 to Battle Command
+4 to Battle Orders
+3 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 310
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 44 of 44
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 146
Fingerprint: 0xd9d9f955
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+94 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+4 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Beast
Superior Double Axe
BerTirUmMalLum
One Hand Damage: 18 - 49
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xf0538adc
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
279% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Attack Rating
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+3 to Werebear
+3 to Lycanthropy
+40 to Strength
+10 to Energy
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5/5 Charges)
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 85 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x2ab1e90e
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+112 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Treachery
Breast Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 68
Durability: 37 of 50
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x72f60811
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Crown of Thieves
Grand Crown
Defense: 329
Durability: 36 of 50
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x3fc13fa7
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
11% Life stolen per hit
+189% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Dexterity
+50 to Life
+35 to Mana
Fire Resist +33%
80% Extra Gold from Monsters
Obedience
Cryptic Axe
HelKoThulEthFal
Two Hand Damage: 230 - 1057
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 124
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0xd71501ef
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
30% Chance to cast level 21 Enchant when you Kill an Enemy
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
370% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
-25% to Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+248 Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
All Resistances +29
Requirements -20%
Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune
With MFO coming up, I thought I'd slowly ease back into D2... and what better way to do that than some relaxed melee HC Nihlathak running.
After a long (for my standards) 6 months break from D2, I picked up Revenge again who was sitting at 97.25. Honestly runs are still smooth though, rarely aborting any roll/spawn. Most dangerous situations this stretch were dropping to ~2.5k life or so. Did a little bit of running this week and moved to 1/3 towards 98. I'll be traveling until next week, so likely not much progress until MFO comes around.
Still needing a couple of items for my HC Set Sept, I'm thinking about running MFO with him. Unfortunately his seed's Pit map isn't great, and his jackpot Nihl map is too good to roll away with 98-99 in mind. But the Baal category could be a decent mix of XP and shots at some items, even though Nihlathak is the better target in terms of XP/h. I do hate Baal runs so very much but haven't done any in a while, and since I'll be running Nihl for 98-99 anyway, it might be a welcome change of scenery to switch back to him for 2/3 of the 97-98 stage before returning to Nihlathak.
Drops this stretch included a Sur, slightly better Reaper for Merc, two skillers and an eth Windhammer.
Nothing that useful really. For him specifally I'm only looking for HLW (still), Lo for another Grief roll and MF charms to eventually gear him towards MF. No dice though, same for items that could help my HC Sept, e.g. Mal/Ist to make Infinity or some of the missing set items such as Griswold's weapon and shield... Hoping MFO will deliver on that front, should I indeed run with him.
@ffs - HC melee Nihl running is terrifying, glad to see it's working out for you though! I'm still debating doing it for 98-99 for Stevesy, but it would likely require abandoning him as a Wolfbarb and I don't want to do that.
The alternative is likely a freakishly long time at Baal and... I don't want to do that either. Oh well, a problem for another day.
--
What's this? An update from Stevesy?! Better believe it!
I too decided to get my feet wet again with my 99er in anticipation of the MFO. I was hoping to get him to 98 before the MFO so he could switch to p1/p3 Baal runs, but it just simply didn't happen so I'll update on where he is now.
Seems I didn't keep very good notes during this stretch and it wasn't very exciting in general, but I did find a couple interesting things:
Ice Bolt, one I already have. One more find as well:
But more importantly, he did cross one more big XP threshold:
3.2 Billion!
And that's that, I told you it wasn't very exciting! He will be my participant in the upcoming MFO, so some (hopefully significant) XP will be gotten there.
@ffs - HC melee Nihl running is terrifying, glad to see it's working out for you though! I'm still debating doing it for 98-99 for Stevesy, but it would likely require abandoning him as a Wolfbarb and I don't want to do that.
Initially I thought so, too, but with 5.2k life (I guess even more for Wolfbarb) it's not that terrifying really. Don't think I ever dipped below 2k life and that's including casually S&E'ing out of Amp/Might/Fana Viper clouds and the like. I still think I'll kill him off somehow at Nihlathak, don't get me wrong but it's going to take an unprecedented amount of stupidity. Something like hitting Windows button twice, being confused and idiotically standing in Amp'ed Viper clouds for 5 seconds or something along those lines...
I think Wolfbarb could still run Nihl without much trouble. Repositioning via teleport is more annoying but I don't do that often anyway tbh. Overall it'll probably be a little slower than Conc, but should still be faster than all other options, certainly Baal. I did find that P1/P7 Diablo runs are the fastest Barb route for 97-98 and not much behind Nihl for 98-99 either, so that might be another option? Although frankly in HC personally I'm be more afraid of De Seis than Nihlathak...
I think Wolfbarb could still run Nihl without much trouble. Repositioning via teleport is more annoying but I don't do that often anyway tbh. Overall it'll probably be a little slower than Conc, but should still be faster than all other options, certainly Baal. I did find that P1/P7 Diablo runs are the fastest Barb route for 97-98 and not much behind Nihl for 98-99 either, so that might be another option? Although frankly in HC personally I'm be more afraid of De Seis than Nihlathak...
Excellent points. I have already done some preliminary testing (with a SC test char) and can vouch that Diablo runs weren't far behind Nihl in terms of efficiency for 98-99, and that's without even factoring in shrines.
De Seis wasn't bad in my limited testing, but 6k+ life, an absurd amount of defense, and Feral Rage definitely help with that. The main thing about Nihl runs that worry me with a Wolfy is spending time chasing down a telehappy Nihlathak, especially if vipers are around.
I suppose one I hit 98 I'll have to do some real testing with Stevesy and see which route seems less likely to either kill him, or kill me with boredom, or both.
I reinstalled the game recently, tried playing some multiplayer mods. Had fun for a short time but it wasn't what I was looking for, so I went back to regular D2 with some QOL mods and was having a blast!
Today I discovered this community and love the idea of having well-defined rules, so I'm going to be reinstalling my game from scratch to make it fit the rules and then creating a brand new character.
I'm thinking Sorceress and taking her to LK ASAP for that Infinity grind.
Yes, that is huge. Annihilus with x/x/10 and extra power from Torch would mean that you could complete level 99 Sorceress within 200 playing hours. It might have been possible even with ladder runewords before these upcoming changes, but now it is only a matter of time before somebody completes a sorceress like that.
I believe that there will be a lot of people, who prefer playing D2R with Annihilus and Torch etc and I would suggest adding two extra Yes/No columns to the chart for those players starting with D2R. Something like "Ladder runewords" and "Uber" or just "D2R", because I understand that most people play with ladder runewords anyway? Probably somebody could make up better names, but you get the gist
I think sub 200 is possible currently as sorc using classic start then converting in Hell to save multiple ancient quests, but you’d essentially need to be a top tier runner and not die at all for the later parts. Indrek @twitch was supposed to try this a while back, not sure if he ever got around to it. tried this a while back, last I saw he was at 97 and pacing good.
E: talked to him this morning, he’s 98 on his HC Sorc he was doing the run with and by his math he can hit 99 with 5-10 hours to spare for sub 200 without Nihlathak, just lacking motivation to finish. Didn’t ask about if he started classic or not so well under 200 is within reach.
@Jpy Yes, I suspect that as well. However, most likely you still need ladder runewords like Infinity. Additionally you need to risk a bit as well. Especially if you are playing HC.
I actually saw few of these Indrek´s attempts and few deaths were pretty much guaranteed even for such a tremendously skillful player as he is. I think that he ripped like 5-10 times before he got a reasonably safe equipment to work with. So people with lower skill set like me etc would probably need to expect 10-50 RIPs .
Update on Exanimate´s progress. After playing ladder for few weeks I continued with Single Player and Exanimate has reached level 97 by now. I think that I am getting to old for ladder gameplay ... It is just too intensive. Oh, there was a new World Record by the way . One German guy completed level 99 (SC) in 10 days and 12 hours I believe it was. So congratulations to him and his team! I personally think that they could actually improve the time a bit by the way, because they did not use 4/8 or 2/8 at Throne waves as far as I know. Everything else was pretty much perfectly done. Obviously you need gz gear for 2/8 (1/8 if main character is ESed up ), but if you cannot get it quickly enough, then 4/8 is an option as well in my opinion. There are various low budget combinations for that ...
In SP I found Death´s Web wand, but I decided to hold on to my 75% FCR breakpoint and I did not use it for some time. Initially I decided to wait until 2/20 circlet, but I got lucky and Griffon´s Eye was dropped just 20 hours later . These two items boosted the experience gain to 6,6-6,8 M/h Oo. Current experience gain on level 97 is around 3 M/h, which is not that bad I guess. Everything else about this stretch has been quite uneventful. Plan is to reach level 98 or 98,5 by the next summer. I probably respec into 125% FCR PnB Necromancer and run without mercenary on level 98, because I tried few Nihlathak runs with current build and I did not feel comfortable there at all.
Items which could improve the efficiency would be CoA, PnB skillers and for level 97-98 SoJ or BK.
If you are interested about the gameplay style and current gear, then I uploaded a video on YT:
Athena & Minerva, my UT99 twins
Update of a much smaller interest! But... that's where I'm set for now with my "twins", and more importantly, they are back to questing after quite a while (a full year...)!
Athena, my sorceress, is now 54 [Edit: now 67, Hell unlocked], running NM Mephisto - with no great success for now, set apart two Pul runes [Edit: Hellforge was an Um rune].
Minerva, now 42, is still gearing a bit in Normal, but will move forward soon. Probably after Athena being Champion, I'll be efficient for this year's goal.
I am actually thinking about joining again. My last attempt with a Sorc ended at 91 and somehow I lost interest and played a few other chars (untwinked). I always liked leveling to ~90 and farming for basic gear the most.
Anyhow, because D2R is on the horizon and I just became a father, I think I should focus on one character only, if I find some time to play. Even though I have played D2 since the orginal release, my highest RW so far has been a Grief. So one goal will certainly be making an Enigma and/or CoH for the first time!
What do you think changes due to Uber-Diablo and the Pandemonium Event beging available in SP? I guess with the "CS-trick" every character can get an Anni if they happen to find a SoJ. What about the torches? What are the chances and necessary equipment for each class needed to make a torch untwinked happen? Easiest classes should be Paladin and Barbarian, right? Would it be worth the time to farm the keys and hope for the right torch?
As I am basically deleting my characters quite often, my main options to join this fantastic challenge would be:
1) Lvl 87 Tornado-Stormer equipped with basic gear and one Ber stashed.
2) Lvl 87 Frenzy with a Grief PB and one Ber/Sur each stashed.
3) Lvl 76 CS/Fury Zon with 3(!) SoJ and WT@50 from NM Mephito.
4) New Character
Although it would be some waste of time, I am actually thinking about option 4 the most. Starting fresh with D2R just makes sense in my mind.
Very much appreciate your input on this, although I know that I am very unlikely to finish this challenge. However especially any thoughs on Anni and Torches might help others as well.
Thanks, especially for all the posts over the years. I even read this thread when I did not play D2 at all.
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